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As a 100% telecommuter for the last 3 years (working from Europe), I can
add/agree with the following:
Writing jobs are indeed scarce these days. For the last year I have had
few writing jobs compared to the programming jobs I've had (I program
the FrameMaker API - in this climate automation seems attractive to the
decision makers.)
Specialization can be your friend. It sets you apart from the crowd.
If you know EDA, sell that point. If you know MarketSpeak, sell that.
You need to differentiate yourself all that much more.
Network, network, network. Get yourself in touch with a contracting
house that is willing to throw some work all the way to your home
office. A contracting house is easier to convince than a client company
- it can try you out on a small job without too much risk.
Post a web site, and attract people to it. On my site I have free
plugins for FrameMaker. This has generated no small amount of work for
me. Check it out...
http://www.telecable.es/personales/cud/
Participate in lists. This is a place where you can demonstrate your
specialized expertise to the world. It also reminds people that you
exist, and helps lure them into your web site. (See above.)
When you get a job, deliver!
Good luck! The more people we see telecommuting, the better it will be
for everybody. Telecommuting is more environmentally friendly than the
automobile, your employer doesn't need to equip your office, and
besides, we're already in the 21st century for crying out loud.
cud
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